Mettlach (Moselle Franconian Mettlich) is a municipality in the Saarland district of Merzig-Wadern in Germany.
By train
Mettlach railway station. Regular direct connections to
Saarbrücken, Mannheim, Trier and Koblenz, from where you can reach
long-distance connections throughout Germany.
On the street
The broom is on the B51, it goes from Saarburg to the A6 in Merzig.
By bike
The Saar cycle path runs along the outer edge of the Saar
Loop and continues through the Saar.
1. Saarschleife (Saar Loop) – The Iconic Natural Landmark
The
Saarschleife is Mettlach’s most famous attraction and one of Saarland’s
premier postcards. This dramatic horseshoe-shaped bend in the Saar River
carves through a quartzite ridge, creating a breathtaking water gap. The
river has incised deeply over millennia, forming terraced slopes visible
from above.
Best viewpoints: The Cloef (or Cloef-Atrium in
Orscholz) offers the classic panoramic view from about 180 meters above
the river. A short walk from the parking area and visitor center leads
to the rocky outcrop.
Treetop Walk Saarschleife (Baumwipfelpfad):
Opened in 2016, this 1,250-meter accessible elevated walkway winds
through the forest canopy, ending in a 42-meter observation tower. It
provides immersive views of the loop and surrounding mixed deciduous
forest at treetop level. It is family-friendly and largely
wheelchair-accessible.
Why it stands out: The combination of
geological history, dense forests, and the river’s meander makes it a
top destination for hiking, photography, and nature lovers. Various
"Traumschleife" (dream loop) hiking trails circle the area.
2.
Villeroy & Boch Welt and the Old Abbey (Alte Abtei)
Mettlach’s
cultural and industrial heart revolves around Villeroy & Boch, whose
headquarters occupy a historic Baroque building that was once a
Benedictine abbey.
History: The former Benedictine monastery
dates back to around the 9th–10th century. In 1809, Jean-François Boch
acquired the site and transformed it into a modern ceramics factory,
pioneering industrial production techniques. The company (formed by
merger in 1836) has produced renowned Mettlach steins, tiles
("Mettlacher Platten"), and luxury tableware here for over 200 years.
Villeroy & Boch Welt (Discovery Center / Keravision): This engaging
museum/exhibition space inside the Old Abbey showcases over 260–275
years of company history, including historic ceramics, production
innovations, and current collections. Highlights include films (one
narrated by Peter Ustinov), interactive displays, and the evolution from
handmade to industrial ceramics.
Abbey Park (Abteipark): Surrounding
the headquarters, this lovely park features specimen trees, the restored
Schinkel Fountain (designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel and returned in
2003), mosaics, an "Earth Spirit" installation, and the historic Old
Tower (a landmark symbol for Villeroy & Boch products). It’s a peaceful
spot for walks.
The adjacent Mettlach Outlet Center offers shopping
for V&B products in a pleasant riverside setting.
3. Burg
Montclair (Montclair Castle)
Perched on a ridge within or overlooking
the Saarschleife, Burg Montclair is a striking medieval ruin with
panoramic views.
History: The site has layers of fortification
dating back to Celtic/Roman times. A castle (possibly called Skiva)
existed from the 9th–11th centuries. The current structure originated in
the late 12th century as a strategic stronghold to control the Saar
River trade route. It was destroyed (notably in 1351), rebuilt in the
16th century, and later fell into ruin. Restoration began in the 1990s,
bringing new life to the site.
Visitor experience: Ruins include
walls, towers, and defensive features. Hiking trails (including parts of
the Tafeltour) lead to it. It is open seasonally (typically
April–October) and combines history with dramatic Saar Loop vistas.
4. Churches and Religious Sites
St. Lutwinus Church (Kirche St.
Lutwinus): A key town church with historical significance.
Chapel of
St. Joseph and other smaller chapels feature mosaics and ties to the
abbey’s religious past.
5. Other Notable Attractions and
Experiences
Wolfspark Werner Freund (nearby in Merzig): A renowned
wolf park where visitors can observe packs of wolves in a natural
setting.
Historical guided tours of Mettlach cover the abbey, park,
Old Tower, and ceramics heritage.
Outdoor activities: Numerous hiking
trails (Traumschleifen), cycling along the Saar, and nature reserves
like Steinbach Valley with its ravines and rock formations.
Shopping
& Dining: The outlet center and riverside spots for local beer and food.
1 Villeroy & Boch Factory Outlet, Freiherr-vom-Stein-Strasse 4,66693
Mettlach. Phone: +49(0)6864 2031.
2 Lands' End Outlet Store,
Marktplatz 7,66693 Mettlach. Phone: +49(0)6864 270452.
Tourist Information Mettlach, Freiherr-vom-Stein-Str. 22. Tel.: +49(0)68 65 91 15 0.
Early History and the Founding of the Abbey (7th–10th Centuries)
The history of Mettlach centers on its Benedictine abbey, founded around
676–circa 700 AD by the Frankish nobleman and later saint Liutwin (also
spelled Lutwinus or Leudwinus), a count of Trier who became Archbishop
of Trier and Laon. According to legend, while resting on a rock
overlooking the Saar River, Liutwin experienced a divine vision: an
eagle spread its wings to shade him, which he interpreted as a heavenly
sign to establish a monastery on the flood-free terrace above the river.
The abbey was dedicated to St. Peter and followed Benedictine rule. It
maintained close ties with the Bishopric of Trier, with the Bishop of
Trier often also serving as abbot until the 10th century. The Old Tower
(Alter Turm), an octagonal double chapel built around 990 AD as a burial
site for St. Liutwinus’s relics, is one of the oldest surviving sacred
buildings in Saarland and remains a key landmark in the abbey park.
During the Middle Ages, the abbey thrived as a religious and cultural
center, benefiting from its strategic location along the Saar River.
Medieval to Early Modern Period (11th–18th Centuries)
The abbey
continued as a significant ecclesiastical site, though it faced the
typical challenges of the era, including political shifts in the Holy
Roman Empire and regional conflicts. In the 18th century, it underwent
major architectural transformation under Baroque influences. Architects
like Johann Bernhard Trabucco and Christian Kretzschmar redesigned it
with grand buildings using local red sandstone, creating an imposing
façade with pilasters, a central risalit, decorated portal, and balcony.
These structures replaced earlier medieval cloisters.
Secularization and the Rise of Ceramics (Late 18th–Early 19th Centuries)
The French Revolution and subsequent secularization (around 1794) ended
the abbey’s monastic function. The buildings were sold and repurposed.
In 1809, Jean-François Boch (from the Boch family of ceramics
manufacturers, originally from Lorraine) purchased the former abbey. He
transformed it into a highly modern, mechanized ceramics factory,
designing many machines himself to shift from manual to industrial
production. This marked the beginning of Mettlach’s industrial era. The
family had been producing ceramics since 1748 in Audun-le-Tiche, and
this site on the Saar offered space, resources (including coal for kilns
by 1816), and river transport.
Key early innovations included
developing durable earthenware and experimenting with materials. By the
1820s–1830s, the factory produced high-quality tableware.
Merger
and the Villeroy & Boch Era (1836 Onward)
In 1836, the Boch factory
in Mettlach merged with the operations of Nicolas Villeroy (who had
factories in Wallerfangen and elsewhere) to form Villeroy & Boch. This
combination created one of the 19th century’s major global ceramics
players, leveraging innovation, scale, and marketing.
Mid-to-Late
19th Century Boom: The Mettlach factory became renowned for stoneware,
tiles (Mettlacher Platten, inspired by Roman mosaics found nearby,
produced from 1852), and especially artistic wares. It produced steins,
vases, plaques, and architectural ceramics using techniques like
chromolith (etched/incised), relief, PUG (printed under glaze), and
Phanolith. Famous artists were commissioned, and products won awards at
world exhibitions (e.g., London 1851, Paris 1878/1900).
The abbey
tower became a symbol on many Mettlach-marked pieces.
The company
expanded into sanitary ware, mosaics, and terracotta, supplying
prestigious projects worldwide (e.g., Cologne Cathedral mosaic, royal
palaces).
Mettlach wares, especially beer steins from the “golden
age” (~1885–1910), became highly collectible, often featuring Germanic
themes, historicism, and national symbolism.
20th Century and
Modern Times
World Wars: Production was disrupted. WWI halted many
artistic lines; a major fire in 1921 destroyed molds and patterns. WWII
caused damage, and post-war territorial changes (Saarland’s status)
affected operations.
The company adapted, focusing on tiles, sanitary
ware, and tableware. Today, Villeroy & Boch remains a global leader in
ceramics, with its headquarters still in the historic abbey buildings.
Today: Mettlach is a tourist destination featuring the Villeroy & Boch
Discovery Center/Keravision exhibition (showcasing 260+ years of company
history), the abbey park with exotic trees and the Old Tower, nearby
Saarschleife (a dramatic river bend), castles like Montclair and
Ziegelberg, and hiking. The town has about 12,000 residents across its
districts.
Location and Coordinates
Coordinates: Approximately 49°29′39″N
6°36′19″E (49.494222°N, 6.605194°E).
It sits in the Saar Valley
(Saarland) in a transitional zone between the Hunsrück highlands to the
north and more rolling terrain toward the French border. The region is
part of the larger Rhenish Massif and features a mix of riverine
lowlands and forested hills.
Topography and Terrain
Mettlach
spans 77.82 km² (about 30 sq mi) with significant relief:
Lowest
elevation: ~154 m (505 ft) along the Saar River.
Highest elevation:
~451 m (1,480 ft) on surrounding hills.
Average elevation is around
300–320 m.
The landscape is highly varied and scenic, dominated
by the Saarschleife (Saar Loop or Great Bend in the Saar at Mettlach).
This dramatic horseshoe-shaped meander is one of Saarland’s most iconic
natural landmarks. The river flows in a nearly 180-degree bend, creating
a narrow peninsula of land. The loop is about 10 km long along the river
but only ~2 km across as the crow flies between points like Besseringen
and Mettlach.
Key topographic features include:
Steep
quartzite cliffs and forested slopes rising 100–180+ meters above the
river.
The famous Cloef viewpoint in Orscholz (part of Mettlach), a
rocky promontory ~180 m above the Saar offering panoramic views of the
loop. A treetop walk and observation tower enhance the vistas.
Deeply
incised valleys, ravines (e.g., Steinbach Valley nature reserve), and
rock formations like Devil’s Rock.
Densely forested hillsides (much
of Saarland is wooded) surrounding the river valley.
Castles and
ruins (e.g., Burg Montclair) perched on heights within or overlooking
the loop.
The terrain transitions from flatter riverbanks in the
town center to steep, rugged hills. It supports hiking, cycling, and
nature tourism via trails like the “Felsenweg” dream loop.
Geology
The Saarschleife is a classic example of an antecedent valley
or water gap. The Saar River has incised deeply into resistant bedrock
over millions of years.
Key rock: Lower Devonian Taunus quartzite
(very hard, erosion-resistant, formed ~410 million years ago in a
shallow sea). This forms the prominent cliffs and forces the river into
a dramatic loop.
Overlying younger deposits include Triassic
Buntsandstein (sandstone).
The meander began forming ~23 million
years ago (Oligocene-Miocene) on a relatively flat peneplain. As
regional uplift occurred (linked to the uplift of the Hunsrück), the
river maintained its course while cutting downward (antecedent
behavior).
Fault systems (NNE-SSW and NW-SE trending) influenced the
river’s path, deflecting it and shaping the bend.
The area
features a mix of Devonian, Permian, and Triassic strata, with the Saar
transitioning from upper to middle valley geology here.
Hydrology
and River
The Saar River (a major tributary of the Moselle) is
central to Mettlach’s geography. It flows northward here, having
originated in France. In the Mettlach area, it creates a scenic, winding
valley with steep sides in harder rocks and broader sections in softer
strata. The river supports shipping, recreation, and historically
industry (e.g., ceramics). Nearby are nature reserves and vineyards on
slopes.
Climate
Mettlach has a temperate oceanic climate (Cfb)
with moderate temperatures, influenced by its position in western Europe
and the Saar Valley. Summers are warm but not extreme; winters are cool
and damp. The valley setting can create microclimates with fog or frost
in low areas and slightly milder conditions on slopes. Precipitation is
fairly even year-round, supporting lush forests and agriculture
(including viticulture).
Human and Cultural Geography
Mettlach
includes 10 subdivisions (Ortschaften), such as Orscholz (home to the
Cloef), Saarhölzbach, Weiten, and others. The town proper sits along the
river, while outlying areas extend into the hills. Its location in the
Saarland, a historically contested border region, has shaped its
identity (with influences from German, French, and Luxembourgish
cultures).
The geography supports tourism centered on the
Saarschleife, hiking in the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park, and the Villeroy
& Boch ceramics industry (headquartered here, leveraging local
clay/earthenware traditions).
Born in Mettlach
René von Boch-Galhau (1843-1908), entrepreneur,
secret commercial councilor
Edmund von Boch (1845–1931),
entrepreneur, honorary mayor
Alfred von Boch (1860-1943), honorary
mayor of Mettlach and acting district administrator of the Saarlouis
district
Ferdinand Jakob Schmidt (1860–1939), philosopher and
educator
Roger von Boch-Galhau (1873–1917), entrepreneur and
landowner
Luitwin von Boch-Galhau (1875–1932), entrepreneur, general
manager of Villeroy & Boch
Matthias Wehr (1892–1967), Bishop of Trier
Luitwin von Boch-Galhau (1906–1988), district administrator of the
Merzig district in 1945, founder of Saarland University, general
director of Villeroy & Boch 1932–1972
Franz Egon von Boch-Galhau
(1909-1981), entrepreneur, farmer and forester, landowner
Karl
Conrath (1910–1992), local writer
Luitwin Gisbert von Boch-Galhau (*
1936), entrepreneur, former general director and honorary member of the
supervisory board of Villeroy & Boch
Wendelin von Boch-Galhau (*
1942), farmer and forester, entrepreneur
Hans Georg Stritter (born
1949), politician
Personalities associated with the community
Jean-François Boch (1782-1858) developed a completely new branch of
industry with the production of what later became known as Mettlacher
slabs (floor tiles).
Heinrich Wilhelm Breidenfeld (1794–1875), organ
builder, built the organ in Mettlach in 1844
Eugen von Boch
(1809–1898), entrepreneur, mayor of Mettlach
Karl August von Cohausen
(1812–1894), architect, art historian, classical scholar, archaeologist;
built the Mettlach church
Franz Georg Himpler (1833–1916) was a
German architect who built the St. Joseph Chapel in Mettlach
Anna
Boch (1848–1936), Impressionist painter from Belgium, spent many
holidays in Mettlach
Eugène Boch (1855–1941), impressionist painter,
friend of Vincent van Gogh, worked in the Mettlach painting school
Wilhelm Gattinger (1861–1927), landscape painter
György Lehoczky
(1901-1979), architect and church window painter, worked among other
things on the parish church of St. Mary in Mettlach-Orscholz
Matt
Lamb (1932–2012), Irish-American painter and peace activist; he set up
one of his studios in 1994 in the Mettlach district of Tünsdorf
Therese Zenz (1932–2019), canoeist, resident in Mettlach
Benjamin
Becker (born 1981), tennis player